Order of Business - 14th December 2006

Order of Business – 14th December 2006
Mr. Norris: There is no doubt that the situation relating to crime is serious. Falsifying statistics does not make the argument, however, and neither do wild statements about do-gooders having more regard for the human rights of accused people. That is simply not true. There is a case for considering establishing some kind of special court, not for the reasons given on the other side of the House, but because people such as Marlo Hyland make careers out of intimidating witnesses. As a result, people are terrified to give evidence and understandably so. That is a matter to which consideration must be given.
In my opinion, the criminal fraternity - if one can call them that and a despicable group they are - have created many difficulties and much trouble for themselves. In Chicago - Dublin is becoming very reminiscent of that city - when the St. Valentine's Day massacre and similar events occurred, the attention of the media, the public and the US Government became focused on the criminals involved and they were pursued and eventually apprehended. When our current difficulties commenced and gangland criminals began being killed, certain people, including a number of Members, said that it served them right and that they should be allowed at each other. However, the problem is that civilians will get caught up in the crossfire. When one accepts that one person has a right to take another's life - regardless of who they are - one is getting into real trouble.
An innocent young man doing his job lost his life because he was caught in the crossfire. It was heartbreaking to listen to the comments of members of his family. What a Christmas present his death is for them. Another person was killed in an incident that occurred in the heart of the International Financial Services Centre, our international flagship in the financial services sector. This does nothing for our image abroad and the Government must take action in respect of this matter.
I agree with Senator O'Toole regarding the wonderful information provided by the Library and Research Service of the Houses. I congratulate those who compiled this information, which is extremely helpful and highlights a number of matters to which consideration should be given. For example, the Library and Research Service found it difficult to provide data on waiting lists because there has been a break in the collection of such data. We must ensure that this never happens again. Another matter is the worrying rise in sexually-transmitted infections. The incidence of anal and genital warts has increased by a factor of eight since 1989.
In addition, since 1989, STIs such as genital chlamydia and non-specific urethritis have increased sixfold. We have ceased to talk about this in the House but we should.
An Cathaoirleach: We will not go through the list now.
Mr. Norris: I do not intend to but I have managed, through the Cathaoirleach's benevolence, to name the ones I wanted to mention.
I agree with the comments made about the unfortunate family in Limerick who had no connection whatever with crime. They are innocent but because they are seen as attracting unwelcome attention the community, instead of protecting them, appears to want to reject them. A total of 50 people signed that petition which was handed to the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea whose secretary delivered it to the city council. Deputy Peter Power, a representative from Limerick, refused to answer whether he had handed on a similar one. I would like to know if he did, and if so whether he attached a health warning to it.
As people will be travelling by road in this season when the light is bad I wish to raise an issue with the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government. A man contacted me who must travel on a road where the hedgerow and trees extend over the road scratching the paintwork on his car and making it almost impossible to see. When he complained to Mayo County Council he received the following answer:
I have been given strict instructions this year to minimise the amount of work been done to trim hedges on these minor roads. Due to this budgetary constriction I cannot guarantee that your road will be trimmed this year as it has been several years since other minor roads have had their hedges trimmed.
How is that for safety in rural Ireland?